Fairview Rangers land Premier League title after Balla slip up against Mungret
It was a heartbreaking way to end the season for Balla who have been superb this season
The Premier League race came to a premature end on Wednesday evening when a Ballynanty Rvs collapse in the final fifteen minutes saw them lose a three-goal lead at Mungret Regional to finish 3-3.
The result means Fairview Rgs are Champions and the Fran Mullally Trophy stays in the Fairgreen for another season.
It was all roads to the Fairgreen on Sunday morning to see what would have been a game to decide the championship when Fairview hosted Balla unfortunately that game now becomes academic.
It was a heartbreaking way to end the season for Balla who have been superb this season.
They led 3-0 at the break and carried that lead until the 76th minute.
Once the home side scored, doubts crept into the Balla side and they conceded again on 85 minutes.
Much has been made of the ability of Mungret striker Cian McNicholas to pop with a late goal and he did it again on Thursday to net an injury time equaliser to the dismay of the visitors.
It all looked to be going to plan when Shane Walsh scored a free kick from outside the box, past stand-in keeper Aled Harkin.
Vinny Ryan fired in a long-range effort to double the lead after half an hour.
When Leon Kirrane scored a cracking third just before the break you felt it was game over.
Craig Prendergast reduced the deficit on 76 minutes and ten minutes later Gary Kelly reduced it to a goal between the sides.
No doubt Balla were aware of McNicholas’ uncanny habit of scoring injury time goals but they still couldn’t stop the striker from equalising.
With little time to regain the advantage the game fizzled out and with it Balla’s hopes of league glory.
Mungret Reg: Aled Harkin; Conor Myers; Mark Barrett; Aaron Long; Colm Barrett; Jake Prendergast; Danny McCarthy; Mark Patterson; Kian Barry; Conor Madden; Cian McNicholas, Subs: Craig Prendergast; Gary Kelly
Ballynanty Rovers: Tommy Holland, Adam O'Regan, Alex Kiely, Josh Adams, Kevin Laffan, Leon Kirrane, Shane Walsh, Eddie Byrnes, Vinny Ryan, Jamie Greaves, James Fitzgerald, Subs; Kane Connolly, Thomas Byrnes, Gavin Hehir, Calum Kiely, Darragh Hughes
Lawson Cup Semi Final
Fairview Rgs 3 Pike Rvs 0
Fairview Rgs reached the Lawson Cup final following a 3-0 win over old rivals Pike Rvs at the Fairgreen on Thursday evening.
With two wins against the Hoops in their league games, the home side carried the favourites tag comfortably and took the lead in seventeen minutes through Adam Dore.
Josh McCarthy joined the action to replace the injured Yoyo Mahdy on 25 minutes and made his mark five minutes from half time to double the lead.
Pike gave it their all but were unable to break down a resolute home defence.
Chad Molloy scored a third eight minutes from time to set up a final against Janesboro on Friday June 5th.
Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Danny O'Neill; Blake Curran; Thomas O'Connor; Conor Kavanagh; Shane Duggan; Cian McNamara; Adam Dore; Yoyo Mahdy; Darragh Rainsford; Brian Aherne, Subs: Chad Molloy; Josh McCarthy; Oleg Vysochan; Cian Walsh; Jason Cross
Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Jack Croke; Ethan Joyce; Robbie Williams; Steven McGann; Eddie O'Donovan; Aaron Hough; Brendan O'Dwyer; Dylan Murphy; Leon Daly; Aaron Murphy, Subs: Jamie Mitchell; Lee McGuire; Joe Murphy; Conail Stapleton; Jack Meaney; Cathal McNamara
______________________
Pallas Utd were crowned Youth Division One champions on Monday evening following a 3-1 win over Pike Rvs. Josh McLaughlan, Conor Kenny and Ryan Hartigan were the scorers for Pallas who were excellent throughout the season. Roman O’Connell replied for Pike.
Carew Park will contest the Premier A Healy-Webb Cup final thanks to a 1-0 win over Caherdavin Celtic on Tuesday. Pa Boyle’s goal sets up a date with Moyross in the decider on Saturday.
Prospect had a great night on Tuesday. Goals from Scott McCallig 2. Keelan Corbett, Jamie Hogan and Naecisse Tshibangu gave them a 5-4 win over promoted Kilmallock to secure their Premier A status.
At the same time their B were in Open Cup semi final action where they surprised Brazuca 3-2 to reach the decider thanks to scores from T Casey (2) and W Mulqueen.
They will play Corbally Utd C in the decider after they beat Abbey Rvs 3-1. Michael White, David Madigan and Cian Moore scored the winning goals.